Soldiers of Grace Student Ministry Newsletter
Mirror Mirror on the Wall
"...we
are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37
We just can't help ourselves! Everyday at some point we look at ourselves
in the mirror. For some of us, it’s in an attitude of self-esteem: we look and say, "wow, I have a face that others
could love!" But for others, it is more like an experience in reality: we see ourselves and think, "wow, I have
a face that only a mother could love!" Either way, we all face questions like, "Why did God make me like this? Who
am I? Does my life really matter? What do others think of the way I look and act?"
The problem is that we often answer these
questions from Hollywood's perspective. In Tinsel town everyone is beautiful and life is oh so much
better than mine. Hollywood has created a monster called the "world mirror"... (run for your lives!) As a result,
most teenagers suffer from a poor self-image. They don't like the way they look. They think that they are being continually
watched and criticized by others. After time and enough glances in the "world mirror" the poison of self-doubt,
frustration, and discouragement creeps into their thinking. The real question, though, is not what we see
when we look at our reflection in the "world mirror". Rather the true issue is what God sees
when He looks at us - and that is a whole different story!
The Bible tells us several truths about what He sees when He looks at us, because He is
using the "God Mirror"- so let's take a look - First of all, He sees us as specially created and uniquely made
individuals. David put it this way in Psalm 139:13,14: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in
my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;" And just like David, you have been
personally designed by God as a customized creation. From the color of your eyes to your thumbprint to your personality -
the Master Himself has specially crafted you. Just remember the old saying: "God don't make no junk!"
Secondly, He sees us as saints. All
throughout the New Testament Christians are called "saints." Basically, what this means is that the self-image of
worthlessness and guilt are not the true reflection of you. God's Mirror was designed through the lenses of the cross.
He sees you as forgiven, pure, and holy. When God sees you, He sees the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Wow!
Finally, He sees you as His very own
child. You are a child of the King: a royal member of the highest Kingdom in the universe. According to Galatians 1:7
"you are no
longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."
This means that you are a family member
who is entitled to all of God's blessings.
So the next time you look in the mirror, don't focus on the size of your nose or the
shape of your body or the number of your zits. Forget the "world mirror", it's as warped as the ones at a funhouse.
Instead, look in God's Mirror and think to yourself, "I am a unique creation, a holy saint, a child of the King."
Over time, the true reflection of yourself will become clear, and you will know what it's like to be more than a "conqueror".
July
2010
Join Soldiers of Grace Student ministry for a summer retreat
to Ocean Grove, NJ. We will leave on Friday July 16th and return Sunday July 18th.
Cost per student is estimated to be $75. More information will be available soon. Space
is extremely limited. A $25 deposit is due as soon as possible to reserve your spot. For more information,
see Toni for details.
